Once Upon a Dragon's Fire

January 15, 2021
Once upon a time, a long time ago, Freya and Sylas lived in a village in a magic kingdom where everyone feared a dragon. Although it isn't clear if any villagers have actually met the dragon, rumor has it that the beast is heartless, ruthless, and cruel. Unlike their fellow villagers, Freya and Sylas find the dragon fascinating as well as terrifying. The children spend hours together reading stories about the dragon, becoming dragon experts, each reassuring the other that they are interested but not afraid. When an enormous snowstorm freezes the village, Freya and Sylas are sure that the dragon is to blame. Together, they decide to scale the mountain near their village where the dragon supposedly lives--something that, in their entire village, only they are courageous enough to attempt. But when they finally reach the dragon, Freya and Sylas get a surprise: It turns out that the dragon is nothing like what anyone in their village imagined. Could it be, Freya and Sylas wonder, that the dragon isn't evil at all? This sweet tale of adventure, courage, and compassion is a warmhearted reminder of the dangers of stereotypes and the power of perspective and hope. The manga-style illustrations are colorful and detailed--full of whimsical touches--perfectly complementing the fairy-tale-inspired prose. The story's moral, while clear, is more lighthearted than preachy, rendering the happy ending entirely satisfying. Freya has light-brown skin and poufy brown hair; Sylas has pale skin and black hair in a topknot. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10.3-by-18.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 32.1% of actual size.) A page-turner of an adventure story about challenging preconceived notions and building empathy and compassion. (Picture book. 3-8)

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February 1, 2021

PreS-Gr 3-An inventive fantasy featuring Freya, who is tan with brown hair, and Sylas, who is black-haired with pale skin, who are terrified by dragons until they set upon a quest that becomes an origin story. The villagers live in fear of dragons, spreading stories of horror and tragedy amongst themselves, though none have ever seen one. The intrepid protagonists discover just how wrong all this information is this during a cold storm, when the villagers believe the dragon is responsible for their circumstances. When Freya and Sylas meet the dragon face-to-face, all of what they read and heard melts away when faced with the truth. Bright digital artwork accompanies the text with hidden visual gems for those who seek it. VERDICT Themes of friendship, truth, and believing what one sees rather than what someone else says are valuable lessons imparted and shared. This is a heartwarming tale of friendship and discovery, and a compelling read-aloud.-Rachel Zuffa, Case H.S., Racine, WI

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 12, 2021
Preschool-Grade 2 Everyone in the village except young Sylas and Freya fears the dragon that lives nearby, because he is reputed to be mean, scary, and evil. Assuming that he has caused a terrible snowstorm, the children set out to confront the beast and are surprised to discover that he is actually cold, scared, and lonely. To make him feel better, the kids concoct a story about a kind dragon. The creature is so touched by this tale and the kids' friendship that he discovers his fire, which he uses only for good--to melt snow and warm up the village houses. Montreal-based Blue (who has also worked as an animator) recounts this original story with a strong emphasis on the importance of kindness and friendship. Her cartoon art features richly saturated colors and numerous small details and makes use of yellow stars to signify movement or a change in the story's direction. Although a bit didactic, this will be welcomed by teachers looking for values-education read-alouds.

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May 10, 2021
This enchanting picture book regales with the power of story as author-illustrator Blue follows Freya, a child with freckled light brown skin and blue-gray eyes, and Sylas, a pale-skinned kid with a dark blue topknot. Residents of a village in a magical kingdom, they “loved reading stories about the dragon out loud to each other”—despite rumors of how terrifying the dragon actually is. When a snowstorm threatens the village’s safety, the duo sets out to stop the dragon, whom they presume responsible. But when they reach the dragon’s mountaintop lair, the pair discovers a creature quite different from the narratives they’ve consumed. Blue presents sweeping cinematic scenes rendered in a friendly yet intricate style, highlighted by vibrant colors and expressive, dynamic characters amid gorgeously immersive fantastical landscapes. A creative origin fable offering a tender reminder to abstain from stereotyping and to extend care to others. Ages 4–7.